A Special Cake for Darla

It was Darla's 50th birthday and her wedding day! Everyone had been invited out to the Reds to celebrate. The Reds is a 5+ star hotel in the heart of Savannah. This promises to be most talked about celebration of the year. Only 350 of the most elite couples in Savannah were expected to be in attendance. Marla, who was a party planner and Darla's sister, was in charge of the entire reception show. Everything from the colors to the seating chart was left in her very capable hands. The problem with this decision is that Marla wanted nothing to do with it. Oh yes, Darla was her big sister and she loved her dearly. However, Marla did not like Darla in the least-sister or not.

See, when the two were younger, it was Darla who always got all the attention. Rather it was at home, church or school. Everyone was always so impressed with Darla! The two sisters were practically twins, as far as looks- less 16 month age difference. Often people would get the two confused and when they realized it, they would say things like " Oh, I thought you were smart one or the pretty one or the older one"! Marla would get so upset and uncomfortable at the suggestions. " I am the smart one"! I am all those things" she would think. However, Marla was always very shy and never really spoke up about much.

Then, one day as Darla was walking down the aisle of the church and someone called out to her thinking she was Marla. " Oh, Hey Marla! Would you mind helping me out with the hand fans this morning?" Darla stopped in her tracks, turned to look right in their face and began yelling "I am not Marla! Do I look frail, mousy and always anxious for nothing? NO! I do not! I'm the doughty one with sex appeal dripping from my pores" she said in a sing song like voice. "We look nothing alike! So please, get it right or don't speak to me at all! Help you with hand fans. As if I have that kind of time and nothing better to do"! Darla spun around and stormed out, passing right by Marla as if she wasn't even there. The look on Marla's face said everything. She'd heard every word her big sister had spewed and her heart sank a little deeper with each syllable. That was the defining moment in Darla and Marla's relationship as sister.

Marla decided she was going to make sure no one ever confused the two of them again. She would cut her hair and change her style of dress and even start to hang around with a group of kids that she would never have normally chosen to hang out with. Marla even began to wear make-up. Though she didn't apply it well. The division between Marla and Darla would last for years. Over those years, the two would go head to head about the smallest of things and no one ever understood all the resentment they had for each other. Every event or family gathering would end with the two of them at each others throats. After awhile, their mother would have them both over and force them to apologize and move on. That worked until their mother passed away 5 years ago.

Marla was totally surprised when Darla asked for her help with the wedding/birthday reception. She was delighted Darla had asked. She also saw it as an opportunity to finally get even with her big sister. She was going to figure out a way to embarrass her on her special day , in front of everyone, just like Darla had embarrassed her at the church so very many years ago. "Let's see how Miss Fancy Pants-I'm better than my little sister" handles this!" Marla begin to plot right away. She knew whatever she did would have to be subtle and inconspicuous. Now, Marla was a party planner and her reputation could not be tarnished by what ever was going to take place. That meant it would have to look like it was someone else's responsibility and there's no connection to her at all. What? What part of this celebration could be ruined but would totally look like it wasn't her? "THE CAKE!" Marla thought.

Marla visited 5 different cake shops to find the most beautiful white and chocolate cake adorned in candied pearls that you can imagine. It was just stunning and Marla knew Darla would love it. "I know just what I will do" Marla thought. She left instructions for the baker to cover the top tier of the cake in milk chocolate and white chocolate flakes. Once the cake arrived at the venue, Marla would sneak off and add more "Chocolate" shavings to a small portion of the cake and then make sure that's where Darla cut the cake for the couples sharing moment.

The wedding went off without a hitch! Everyone was so happy for the new couple. The church emptied quickly, as everyone rushed to get to the Reds to dance the night away. Marla was no exception- she would drive nearly 100 miles per hour to beat everyone else there and she did! Upon making her entry, she noticed the cake had already been placed on the viewing table. "No! No, this isn't right!" she yelled out. "Please, take this back to the kitchen so the necessary touches can be applied" Marla demanded. Two gentlemen can and wheeled the cake back into the kitchen followed by Marla. "What would you like us to do Miss?" one of the gentleman asked. "Nothing! I will handle it with the decorator myself once he arrives. The two gentlemen walked out the kitchen and Marla pulled out her shaved chocolate pieces to add to the cake. Just as she had placed the last piece on top of the cake, The decorator's assistant walked in. "Does everything meet your approval Ma'am?" The assistant asked. " Oh far exceeds my expectations! You guys have truly out done yourselves!" Marla said as she walked out the kitchen to join the already arriving guest.

The moment is finally here! Time for the couple to share a piece of cake as a symbol of their love. "Everyone gather around please" Marla asked, as her big sister and her new husband made their way to cut the cake. Marla stood right next to Darla because she wanted to make sure she cut the perfect slice. Together, Darla and her new husband held hands and slice the beautiful cake as everyone cheered them on. Marla held the plate the slice of chocolate cake would rest on until it was eaten. Darla feed her new husband from the inside of the cake. He didn't care for frosting so Darla made sure he didn't get any. Darla on the other hand, loved frosting and all the little chocolate pieces just added to her excitement to taste it! Mouth open wide and ready to receive her delicious piece, Darla closed her eyes. Just as her new husband was about to put the piece in her mouth, Marla tripped and knocked the piece of cake in his hand out. In fact, the remainder of cake on the plate had fallen to the floor as well. "Oh no!" the crowd gasped.

Marla quickly jumped to her feet! " IT's ok! I'm ok. Little slip and fall but we are all good. Now lets try that again, shall we" Let me get that for you". Marla took the knife and cut a fresh piece of cake handing it to Darla's husband who graciously takes it and feeds his lovely bride from his fingertips. Darla accepts the piece of chocolate cake and slightly sucks on her new husbands fingers as a sign of approval. The crowd goes wild again as they cheer merriment and celebrate far into the night.

Right before Darla and her new husband decided to leave the festivities, Darla decides to make an announcement. "Good Evening Everyone"! The crowd claps in acknowledgement and then a hush. "I want to thank you all for coming out and sharing this very special occasion with us tonight. We are so honored and so happy we were able to share this milestone in our lives with all the people we love and respect so much. It truly means the world to us. I just want to take a few extra minutes to acknowledge a very very special person in my life. This person has always tried to be good to me, no matter how I have treated her. She has loved me passed some many troubling times and when I asked her to cover my reception, I honestly didn't think she would. Not only did she cover it, she blew it out the water. Ladies and gentlemen, My baby sister, Marla. Marla please join me here. Everyone, please welcome my baby sister! I didn't just gain a husband today, I got the best birthday present ever! I got my Baby Sister back!" Darla said as she reached out to hug her sister.

" I love you so much" she whispered in Marla's ear as they hugged. At the end of the day, you have always been the slice of chocolate cake on my plate and that will never change. Thank you for making this one of the most memorable moments in my life baby Sis! I love you girl!" Darla kissed Marla on the cheek. Marla was so stunned, all she could do was stand there as tears rolled down her face. Marla looked into her big sisters eyes and for the first time in decades saw and shared love between sisters. In the back of her mind, Marla was thinking "Thank goodness I didn't let her eat that cake"!

The two sisters would work hard on repairing their relationship from that day forward. Marla and Darla would often talk about the wedding and what a great day it was for everyone. And Marla would always be thankful she didn't let her sister eat the cake.